Theory of Action

Task Force Report

June 13, 2016

Entry Task:
Complete Entry Task
What do you know about a Theory of Action?
Black: I have not heard of a Theory of Action.
White: I have heard of a Theory of Action.
Blue: I have tried some things...I think they might be a Theory of
Action?
Red: I have used a Theory of Action in my professional practice
and am ready, willing and able to implement another Theory of
Action.

Yellow: I am the Theory of Action master; I know it and can

teach others about it.

Meeting Norms
Think WE not They
Assume Positive Intent
Monitor Air Time
Answer is in the Room
Use a Growth Mindset

Essential Questions:
What is our shared
understanding of our
vision, Excellence for
All?
What will it take to deliver
on the promise-Excellence for All?

Learning Targets:
By the end of tonight team members will be able to
*generate the purpose and direction for this teams work
*gain an understanding of the purpose of a Theory of Action
*apply their understanding of Theory of Action to another districts
example
*gain an initial understanding of the districts current state
*utilize a Growth Mindset

Growth Mindset

Continuous
Improvement
Spirit of Innovation

WHAT IS A THEORY OF ACTION?

FUN THEORY!

Fun theory of Action

IF WE .(fill in the blank with a belief
about the FUN Theory),

Then .(fill in the blank with the

results that the the fun theory
could create ).

Theory of Action: a rationale

A theory of action describes the beliefs that undergirds an
organizations strategy and links the strategy to the
organizations vision; a theory of action can be thought of as
the storyline that makes a vision and strategy concrete. It is a
hypothesis using an if-then statement to articulate what will be
achieved and how, in the broadest sense, it will be achieved.
The power of a theory of action is that the theory helps an
organization be explicit about why it is doing something and
how it expects that those actions will lead to improved student
achievement.
Strategy In Action, Rachel Curtis and Elizabeth City

What are the pieces of the

Puzzle to Achieve the Vision?
What are the
beliefs that will
connect the
storyline for each
child?

District Strategic Plan

Goal Update--CURRENT STATE

What can we celebrate?

What can we consider?

What can we
re-consider?

What are the big ideas that more likely to deliver on the
promise of excellence for all?

What are the components that secure that the

promise will happen?
What would the characteristics of the system be that works
for every student?

Theory of Action --Team Meeting #2

February 17, 2016

My greatest hope...

Survey Results
from Task Forces
first meeting

BIG IDEAS,
Draft 1

 Your table gets $1 to spend.

Use post-it notes to divvy up your dollar into any increments you
desire.
Put your money on the BIG IDEAS that you believe to be the most
leveraging for writing a Theory of Action that will deliver on the
promise, Excellence for All.

6 BIG
IDEAS
STUDENT LEARNING
STUDENT OWNERSHIP
EQUITY
CULTURE/CLIMATE
LEADERSHIP
INNOVATION

If we believe
then...

Drafted Belief Statements

6 BIG IDEAS--FEEDBACK
SOUGHT FEEDBACK
FROM ENTIRE
LEARNING
COMMUNITY

6 BELIEF
STATEMENT
DRAFTS
(RAW FORM)

FIRST GRAPHIC

Theory of Action --Team Meeting #3

April 20, 2016

Belief Statements--Drafts
Over 300
people
responded to
the screencast
Hundreds of
pieces of
feedback for
each group

Belief Statements
READ FEEDBACK
FROM
STAKEHOLDERS
WHATS
WORKING?
WHATS NOT
WORKING?

Belief Statements

CREATED A SYNTHESIZED
BELIEF STATEMENT...

Theory of Action --Team Meeting #4

May 16, 2016

LOOK HOW FAR WEVE COME!

WHAT DOES THE DATA TELL YOU?

Your Feedback--3 Ideas

PLUS +
What works with each sample?

DELTA
What doesnt work with each sample?

RANK as a TABLE:
Write on each sample 1st, 2nd, 3rd
OR
NP = No Preference, We are good with
any graphic selected.

Big IDEA: Student Learning

Big IDEA: Student Ownership

Big IDEA: Equity

Big IDEA: Culture/Climate

Big IDEA: Leadership

Big IDEA: Innovation

Strategic Planning

DRAFT 4 OF
THE BIG IDEAS

NEXT STEPS.
QUESTIONS
FOR TEAM